CVE-2005-3009 in CuteNews
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CuteNews allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mod parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The CVE-2005-3009 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the CuteNews content management system that emerged during a period when web application security was rapidly evolving. This vulnerability resides within the index.php script and specifically targets the mod parameter, which serves as an input vector for the application's module selection functionality. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk that can affect all users interacting with the vulnerable system.
This vulnerability operates under the well-established CWE-79 classification for cross-site scripting, which is categorized as a weakness in input validation and output encoding practices. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly sanitize user-supplied input from the mod parameter before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When CuteNews processes this parameter without adequate filtering or encoding, any malicious script submitted by an attacker gets executed within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3009 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the web application ecosystem. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, demonstrating how XSS vulnerabilities serve as entry points for broader exploitation campaigns.
Organizations running vulnerable CuteNews installations face significant risks including potential data breaches, compromised user accounts, and reputational damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to both skilled attackers and automated exploit tools. Security practitioners should consider implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms as mitigation strategies, including the use of Content Security Policy headers and proper parameter sanitization. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management, as the vulnerability was likely present in multiple versions of CuteNews and required specific code modifications to address the underlying input handling flaws. The incident underscores the critical need for secure coding practices and the application of defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from common injection vulnerabilities that have persisted across decades of web development.